"That place over there is probably a martial arts school. It's where people learn to protect themselves and defeat bad guys."
Rubbing his chin, Chang Yuan explained to Elysia.
"Protect ourselves and defeat bad guys? Chang Yuan, let's go learn too."
Remembering how Chang Yuan had gotten hurt because of her a year ago, Elysia wanted to learn some self-defense techniques.
"Sure, but this kind of training usually takes a long time. Our travels might have to be put on hold for a while."
"That's fine. We've never been short on time, have we?"
Elysia smiled.
Traveling was important, but so was personal safety.
She didn't want to see Chang Yuan get hurt again and wanted to have more strength to protect herself.
"Alright, let's go. We'll visit and see if they're still accepting students."
Leading the way, Chang Yuan walked step by step to the entrance of the martial arts school.
Knock knock knock—!
"Is anyone there? We're here to learn martial arts."
Click!
"Learn martial arts? Come in. I'll take you to my father."
A girl with light gray hair opened the door and spoke.
She then stepped aside to let Chang Yuan and Elysia in.
"Thank you."
Chang Yuan thanked her and walked in, with Elysia following closely behind.
After the two entered, the gray-haired girl closed the door.
She then walked ahead to lead them.
They eventually arrived at a courtyard, which was quite spacious, with wooden stakes, targets, and other training equipment.
It seemed like everything needed for training was here.
A middle-aged man stood up from a reclining chair.
"Hua, are these the ones who want to learn?"
"Yes, Father. Since I've brought them here, I'll go back to training."
Nodding, Hua then went to another area to continue practicing her family's martial art, the Inch Heart Fist.
"Young man, before we talk about tuition, I need to ask: can you handle the hardships of this path?"
"...I can."
Glancing at Elysia, Chang Yuan made his decision.
Without some martial arts skills, he might not even have the right to stand by her side in the future.
If he learned, he might be able to hold his own against zombies. As for Honkai beasts, that was beyond him—he didn't have that kind of talent.
Someone like Kevin, who could take on a Chariot-class Honkai beast with a baseball bat, was one in a million.
Of course, Kalpas was even more impressive, being the first to tear apart a Herrscher with his bare hands.
"Good. Remember, martial arts won't appear on the weak. You'll start training tomorrow. Do you have a place to stay? The school provides lodging and meals."
"Alright, how much for two months?"
"Just you?"
"I want to learn too. I want to learn archery."
"For two people, two months, it'll be 10,000. That includes lodging and meals."
Hua's father gave them a discount.
Hearing this, Chang Yuan took out a stack of cash from his backpack. Since he didn't have an ID, he had to carry his money with him.
Seeing this, Hua's father accepted the money without verifying it.
"Hua, take them to the dorm and arrange a double room for them."
"Okay."
Nodding, Hua looked at the two.
"Please follow me. I'll take you to the dorm."
"Alright."
Following Hua, the two arrived at the dorm.
It wasn't luxurious, but it was much better than the shady inns they had stayed in before.
After finding them a double room, Hua handed them the keys.
She then took them to the cafeteria.
"Hua, are Elysia and I the only students here?"
"...Yes, the school isn't doing well. Fewer and fewer people are learning martial arts."
Hua didn't try to hide this. She was too honest to lie.
"I see. It's a bit lonely, then."
Chang Yuan nodded and smiled.
"By the way, if you need anything, let me know. We'll do our best to ensure your living conditions are good."
"Got it. Thank you."
"In that case, I'll take my leave. Remember to come to the training area tomorrow at 6 a.m. I'll be responsible for teaching you."
"Wait, you're teaching us?"
Elysia was surprised.
It wasn't that she doubted Hua's abilities, but she was curious why Hua, who seemed about their age, would be the one teaching them.
"Don't worry. I've been learning from my father since I was little. I can teach you everything he can."
Thinking Elysia didn't believe she could teach them, Hua explained.
But Elysia wasn't doubting her. She was just surprised.
"No, that's not what I meant. I'm just amazed that someone our age has already learned so much, while we haven't learned anything yet."
"That's normal. Since we're a martial arts family, we start learning as soon as we can walk."
Seeing Elysia's curiosity, Hua explained further.
"That's impressive. I've heard martial arts training is tough. It must've been even harder for you to start so young."
"At first, it was. I didn't understand why my father made me do it. But when I saw that I had a better physique than my peers, I understood.
So after that, I didn't complain. I trained and practiced on my own every day."
Hua nodded, then shook her head.
At first, she didn't understand why her father made her train so hard. As a child, the training felt like torture.
But when she saw how much stronger she was than her peers, she realized her father was doing it for her good, even if it was tough and exhausting.
"Alright, I'll go back to training. You two should prepare. Tomorrow will be tough."
After giving her final reminder, Hua left.
The room was now quiet, leaving only Chang Yuan and Elysia.
"Hmm~? Chang Yuan, the bed here is so comfortable."
Choosing the right bed, Elysia lay down on it.
The softness of the bed instantly won her over.
It was much more comfortable than the beds in the shady inns they had stayed in before.
"Comfortable as it is, tomorrow will be tough. Don't give up halfway."
"Hmph~? I'm not the type to give up halfway. If anything, Chang Yuan, you're the one who might quit. A boy with less stamina than a girl."
"..."
Comparing my stamina to yours? Even if you haven't fully awakened your powers due to the Honkai, you're still a Herrscher. How can I compete with you?
Chang Yuan silently complained in his heart but didn't say it out loud.